7:00am Friday 10th July 2009
By Jeremy Grimaldi
A PLAN to regenerate a Swindon shopping parade has had a mixed reaction from neighbours.
Swindon Council wants to rejuvenate the parade in Marlowe Avenue, Walcot, and build 29 new homes.
The council unveiled its plans, which will include the creation of four new shops, at Walcot Housing Information Fayre in Huntley Close yesterday.
Paul Williams, 30, a security guard who lives above the shops in Marlowe Avenue, said he believed the council needed to focus on some of the neighbourhood’s problems, including drug use, as well as the new scheme.
Mr Williams said: “The new buildings look nice and it will make the area look more respectable – that is important for the community.
“But the council need to remember you can change the face of a neighbourhood but it is what is behind the curtains that really counts. If you have new flats and shops but with druggies carrying needles and all sorts, no-one will want to live there.”
Steven Tough, 50, who works for Royal Mail and also lives above the shops, said: “They have made Cavendish Square look pretty good so I think they will do a good job on these new homes, flats and shops.”
The council asked local residents for their views ahead of submitting a planning application.
If planning permission is granted work on the scheme could begin before the end of this year.
Four new flats and four new shops will be built next to the shops if the proposal is approved.
The existing shops would then be demolished to make way for new houses.
All but one of the houses will be suitable for families, a council spokesman said.
John Coates, of the council’s property department, said: “The first consultation for these buildings took place at some point in 2007. Originally it was to be done by private developers but that was not possible in the current economic climate, so we decided to do it ourselves.
“So far everything we have heard about the plans has been positive, and as this is the first time these plans have been seen by the public that is good news.”
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